Vehicle service controller

Abstract

A system, comprising a computer that includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to receive authentication an operator of a service controller from a server computer, identify a vehicle by scanning a physical code with the service controller and pair the service controller with the vehicle. The vehicle can be operated with the service controller.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 receiving authentication of an operator of a hand-held service controller configured to control a vehicle instead of physical controls in the vehicle, whereby the vehicle is controllable without the physical controls for steering, braking, and acceleration, from a server computer; 
 identifying the vehicle for control by the hand-held service controller, whereby the hand-held service controller is configured to control operation of one or more of vehicle powertrain, vehicle steering or vehicle braking by scanning a physical code with the hand-held service controller; 
 pairing the hand-held service controller with the vehicle; 
 receiving permission to operate the vehicle at the hand-held service controller from a server computer based on comparing a first vehicle identity based on scanning the physical code with a second vehicle identity based on pairing the hand-held service controller with the vehicle; and 
 operating the vehicle by a command from the hand-held service controller. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein scanning the physical code further comprises scanning of one or more of a bar code, a license plate or a VIN number. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein pairing the hand-held service controller further comprises communicating with the vehicle via a near-field wireless network. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein authenticating the operator further comprises uploading one or more of biometric data, an electronic key or a password to the server computer. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the server computer determines the permission to operate based on authenticating the operator. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the server computer determines the permission to operate based on a geographic location of the vehicle. 
     
     
       7. A system, comprising a processor; and
 a memory, the memory including instructions to be executed by the processor to:
 receive authentication of an operator of a hand-held service controller configured to control a vehicle instead of physical controls in the vehicle, whereby the vehicle is controllable without the physical controls for steering, braking, and acceleration, from a server computer; 
 identify the vehicle for control by the hand-held service controller, whereby the hand-held service controller is configured to control operation of one or more of vehicle powertrain, vehicle steering or vehicle braking by scanning a physical code with the hand-held service controller; 
 pair the hand-held service controller with the vehicle; 
 receive permission to operate the vehicle at the hand-held service controller from a server computer based on comparing a first vehicle identity based on scanning the physical code with a second vehicle identity based on pairing the hand-held service controller with the vehicle; and 
 operate the vehicle by a command from the hand-held service controller. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein scanning the physical code further comprises scanning of one or more of a bar code, a license plate or a VIN number. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 7 , wherein pairing the hand-held service controller further comprises communicating with the vehicle via a near-field wireless network. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 7 , wherein authenticating the operator further comprises uploading one or more of biometric data, an electronic key or a password to the server computer. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the server computer further includes instructions to determine the permission to operate based on authenticating the operator. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the server computer further includes instructions to determine the permission to operate based on a geographic location of the vehicle. 
     
     
       13. A system, comprising:
 means for controlling vehicle steering, braking and powertrain; and 
 means for:
 receiving authentication of an operator of a hand-held service controller configured to control a vehicle instead of physical controls in the vehicle, whereby the vehicle is controllable without the physical controls for steering, braking, and acceleration, from a server computer; 
 identifying the vehicle for control by the hand-held service controller, whereby the hand-held service controller is configured to control operation of one or more of vehicle powertrain, vehicle steering or vehicle braking by scanning a physical code with the hand-held service controller; 
 pairing the hand-held service controller with the vehicle; 
 receiving permission to operate the vehicle at the hand-held service controller from a server computer based on comparing a first vehicle identity based on scanning the physical code with a second vehicle identity based on pairing the hand-held service controller with the vehicle; and 
 operating the vehicle with the hand-held service controller and the means for controlling vehicle steering, braking and powertrain. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein means for identifying a vehicle by scanning the physical code includes scanning one or more of a bar code, a license plate or a VIN number with the hand-held service controller. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the permission is encrypted. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the permission is transmitted to the vehicle. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the permission is denied when the operator is operating more than one vehicle. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the permission is encrypted. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the permission is transmitted to the vehicle. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the permission is denied when the operator is operating more than one vehicle.